Power demand not taxing system

ALBERTANS IN NO DANGER OF LOSING THEIR COOL

Have you moved down to your basement? Or are you relaxing in air-conditioned comfort?

For weeks, Albertans have been relying on their cooling systems and fans to escape the heat. That’s boosted power consumption across the province.

But they’re in no danger of overloading the system, officials say. The most recent summer peak came on July 7, and a spokesperson for the Alberta Electrical System Operator says there were no reliability concerns.

“The AESO has the accountability to run the system in a reliable manner,” says Tara de Weerd in Calgary. “This includes ensuring that we maintain an adequate supply cushion.”

The province’s generating capacity continues to grow, she points out, while consumer demand is more stable.

Current capacity is rated at about 16.4 Megawatts, de Weerd says, in addition to the system’s ability to bring in power from British Columbia or Montana. This month’s peak demand reached 10,802 MW, she reports.

“There were no reliability concerns.”

Winters usually see more power used than in summer, she adds. Last winter, the system recorded a demand peak of 11.4 MW.

“Even with that, we have an ample reserve,” de Weerd says.

The government-appointed regulatory agency has created four levels of energy emergency alerts that may be issued if there’s danger of a shortfall situation, she explains. They range from zero (no concerns) to a high of 3.

“The last time we needed to curtail load was in July of 2013,” when the deficit reached “3.”

More generators, including new wind turbines, have come on-stream since then.

“The AESO does not expect any reliability issues on the grid, even as temperatures climb across the province,” de Weerd says.

While much of the province’s power has been generated at coalfired plants over the years, the AESO reports natural gas thermal

systems are the biggest producer now, with a capacity of 7,348 MW. Coal is second at 6,283.

Wind power has become the third-largest source, with a rated capacity of 1,445 MW. But the province also gains 892 MW from

hydro generators, including southern Alberta sources like the Oldman River dam (32 MW ) and smaller installations at Raymond Reservoir, Taylor Chute, Chin Chute and the Dickson Dam on the Little Bow River west of Champion.